GLENDALE, Ariz. - Running back LeSean McCoy shook his head when asked about the Eagles' pass-run distribution after Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. His answer was diplomatic, but his face gave the answer.

LeSean McCoy discusses limited carries

Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted:
Monday, September 24, 2012, 9:28 AM

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Running back LeSean McCoy shook his head when asked about the Eagles' pass-run distribution after Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. His answer was diplomatic, but his face gave the answer.

McCoy carried the ball only 13 times. The reason cannot even be chalked up to playing with a deficit because McCoy carried the ball just four times before halftime.

"Sometimes, it goes like that," McCoy said. "Who knows? I don't live like that. I just go with the plays that are drawn up for us. We've just got to do better, it's as simple as that."

McCoy finished with 70 yards and an average of 5.4 yards per carry.

"Obviously, we thought that we could throw the ball and do a better job in that area," coach Andy Reid said. "In hindsight, it would have been OK to run the ball a little more."

Reynolds, Bell start

Dallas Reynolds debuted as the starting center in a game when the Eagles seemingly had protection issues for much of the afternoon. Michael Vick said there were no miscommunications with Reynolds and complimented the center's ability to identify the defense.

"I try not to think about it being my first game," said, who replaced the injured Jason Kelce. "You have to trust all your preparation throughout the week. I felt like I was prepared. Obviously, looking now, we could've been better. That's what I'm going to improve on."

Demetress Bell also filled in for the ailing King Dunlap (hamstring) at left tackle.

Reid said he went into the game believing the Eagles had the personnel on offensive line to succeed. After the game, he said needed to "go back and study everything, make sure and look at it."

Blown coverage

Television cameras caught Nnamdi Asomugha and Kurt Coleman in discussion on the sideline after Larry Fitzgerald was wide open for a 37-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

The Eagles had double coverage on the play, and Asomugha was supposed to play underneath. He let Fitzgerald go past him, assuming he had over-the-top help. Coleman was not there and Fitzgerald scored.

"It was my fault," Coleman said. "I'll take the heat for it."

Rookie mistake

Damaris Johnson lost a costly fumble on a first-quarter punt return. He took the ball 12 yards before it was stripped at the Eagles' 38-yard line. The Cardinals recovered went on to score their first touchdown. Johnson said he did not leave the ball exposed and credited Arizona's special teams.

"I made a couple moves, just trying to make a play," Johnson said. "I just think he made a real good play on the ball."

He pledged that the fumble would not linger and said that veterans on the sideline told him to move on from the error. Johnson received significant playing time in Jeremy Maclin's absence. He led the Eagles with five catches for 84 yards.

"I think I went in and made a few plays, but it really didn't matter because we didn't get the W," Johnson said.

Officiating follies

Reid has been supportive when discussing the replacement officials throughout the preseason and the regular season, but he did not even want to broach the subject on a mysterious call in the second quarter when Darryl Tapp sacked Kevin Kolb on a second-down play in which the Cardinals were flagged for holding.

The Eagles wanted to decline the penalty. The officials still ruled that it was second down, seemingly forcing the Eagles to take the penalty.

"That one I can't explain," Reid said. "I honestly don't have an answer for you. I can't go . . . I can't answer that question."

Extra points

Linebacker Akeem Jordan left the game with a hamstring strain. . . . Running back Dion Lewis was inactive for the third consecutive game.